Who We Are

Music is in our DNA, literally.

Who We Are

Pinnacle Music Studios is a unique music facility located in downtown Belleville, Ontario. This 12,000 sq. foot, 3-story, historic building houses a full line music store, a music school with 12 private teaching studios, 14 professional teachers and over 500 students. On the main floor, we provide a professional full service recording studio, running ProTools HD and featuring a Yamaha C7 grand piano on the main recording floor.

Pinnacle Music Studios is the authorized Yamaha piano dealer serving Southeastern Ontario. At Pinnacle Music Studios we believe that an informed customer makes the best purchasing decision. Our goal is to present accurate information, give friendly, expert guidance and help you select the best instrument for your home, school, church or concert venue. With over 40 years’ experience, we know pianos and we will help you with all your piano and keyboard needs.

Pinnacle Music Studios also carries guitars and PA equipment as well as the largest selection of print music in the Quinte area. Pinnacle Music Studios has been awarded the Readers' Choice Favourite Music Store award the past 17 years and in 2005 was awarded Business of the Year - Retail at the Belleville & District Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

The Man Behind the Music

Ken Harnden began his music career at the age of 4, singing in church with his cousins. At 14, he and his cousins formed the Canadian Gospel group, The Proverbs, and toured both the US and Canada. The group recorded 6 albums, toured extensively in the US and Canada, and were were proclaimed Honourary Citizens of the State of Tennessee.

In the early 1980’s Ken opened his first recording studio in Belleville and honed his recording engineer skills recording film soundtracks, commercial jingles and album projects. At the time, Ken began laying the groundwork for a country cross-over group, Cedar Creek. which were immediately offered publishing/management deals in both Canada and the US. After signing a management deal with the legendary Jim Halsey, they shared the stage and headlined with Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Tina Turner, Charlie Daniels, The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Kansas, INXS and countless others. Ken sang at such venues as the Grammy Awards, the Worlds’ Fair – Knoxville, TN, the Sahara Tahoe, the Salt Palace, Billy Bob’s, the Moodey Coliseum and the Palamino Club. The group also appeared regularly on many Canadian and US television shows, such as Hee Haw, Nashville Swing, The Ronnie Prophet Show, The Tommy Hunter Show, Charlie Chase and Lorianne Crook and Nashville After Hours.

Upon returning to Canada, Ken signed a publishing deal with RCA/BMG records. He wrote, recorded and released songs in the late 80’s and early 90’s as a solo artist. These songs reached the top spot of the Canadian charts and Ken was nominated and awarded numerous times within the Canadian Music Industry - the Canadian Gospel Music Association, the Canadian Music Publishers, the Canadian Country Music Awards, and PROCAN in which he received two awards for the two most performed songs on radio. Ken also penned and co-wrote songs for other award winning Canadian artists.

In 1997 Ken chose to settle in Belleville and re-open his recording studio with an expansion into retail and music education. He currently runs Pinnacle Music Studios with his wife, Janet, and shares his musical knowledge with clients advising them as they choose the perfect instrument for their needs. Pinnacle Music Studios has mentored many young musicians, worked with local high schools in sound production, and has sponsored many music festivals. In 2011, Ken and Janet were awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship following a 13 year Platinum sponsorship of the local Rotary Music Festival.

Ken keeps his creative side engaged producing and engineering recording projects for others.